Student Engagement category

Auckland University of Technology’s ‘Empowering the Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders’ program supports students to engage with sustainability through practical, inclusive and community-focused action. Delivered through a combination of staff-supported activities and student-led initiatives, the program creates accessible pathways for students to build confidence, develop leadership skills and contribute to sustainability across campus life.

Through Green Impact and a range of hands-on engagement opportunities, students are supported to move from participation into leadership, designing and delivering projects that reflect their interests and communities. The program has strengthened student agency, built cross-campus collaboration and embedded sustainability as a shared part of the student experience.

By combining staff support with genuine student ownership, AUT has created a scalable model for student engagement that develops future sustainability leaders while delivering social, environmental and wellbeing benefits across the university community.

Auckland University of Technology – Manaaki Sustainability

Impacts & Benefits

  • Planted nearly 1,000 native plants across AUT’s North and South Campuses, supporting biodiversity and student connection to place.
  • Engaged around 600 staff and students through ‘Your Campus Commute’, encouraging public transport, cycling and use of student transport concessions.
  • Diverted nearly half a tonne of items from landfill through Fresh Fits and the MDSA collection and pop-up shop.
  • Supported Green Impact teams to complete 557 actions in 2025 across emissions reduction, circular economy and climate action.
  • Created student financial relief, including free clothing, kitchenware, HOP cards, public transport concessions and free attendance at sustainability events.

 

Leadership & Engagement

  • Created a clear pathway from participation to leadership, with Green Impact helping students turn interest into structured projects and action.
  • Centred student agency, with initiatives such as Generation 2100, designed and delivered by students.
  • Built inclusive engagement for international students, using free transport, shared meals, accessible events and community-building activities.
  • Connected students with external partners, including Auckland Transport, Climate Club NZ, KPMG, Auckland Council and Take The Jump.
  • Strengthened internal collaboration, linking AUT Sustainability, AUT International, AUT Libraries, AUT Events, Student Accommodation, Estates and Student Services.

 

Wider Societal Impact

  • Developed future sustainability leaders, giving students practical experience in facilitation, advocacy, event delivery and behaviour change.
  • Created a multiplier effect through international students, who can carry sustainability practices and values into communities and workplaces beyond Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Strengthened urban biodiversity and community wellbeing, through native planting, food growing, harvesting, shared meals and hands-on environmental stewardship.
  • Demonstrated a transferable engagement model, relevant to universities, local government, student accommodation and community organisations.
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Top 3 learnings

  • Student ownership flourishes when staff remove barriers rather than lead initiatives.
  • Structured pathways like Green Impact convert casual participants into confident sustainability leaders.
  • Designing for inclusion transforms sustainability events into genuine community-building opportunities.

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Category finalists

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Student Engagement category

Auckland University of Technology’s ‘Empowering the Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders’ program supports students to engage with sustainability through practical, inclusive and community-focused action. Delivered through a combination of staff-supported activities and student-led initiatives, the program creates accessible pathways for students to build confidence, develop leadership skills and contribute to sustainability across campus life.

Through Green Impact and a range of hands-on engagement opportunities, students are supported to move from participation into leadership, designing and delivering projects that reflect their interests and communities. The program has strengthened student agency, built cross-campus collaboration and embedded sustainability as a shared part of the student experience.

By combining staff support with genuine student ownership, AUT has created a scalable model for student engagement that develops future sustainability leaders while delivering social, environmental and wellbeing benefits across the university community.

Top 3 learnings

  • Student ownership flourishes when staff remove barriers rather than lead initiatives.
  • Structured pathways like Green Impact convert casual participants into confident sustainability leaders.
  • Designing for inclusion transforms sustainability events into genuine community-building opportunities.

Impacts & Benefits

  • Planted nearly 1,000 native plants across AUT’s North and South Campuses, supporting biodiversity and student connection to place.
  • Engaged around 600 staff and students through ‘Your Campus Commute’, encouraging public transport, cycling and use of student transport concessions.
  • Diverted nearly half a tonne of items from landfill through Fresh Fits and the MDSA collection and pop-up shop.
  • Supported Green Impact teams to complete 557 actions in 2025 across emissions reduction, circular economy and climate action.
  • Created student financial relief, including free clothing, kitchenware, HOP cards, public transport concessions and free attendance at sustainability events.

 

Leadership & Engagement

  • Created a clear pathway from participation to leadership, with Green Impact helping students turn interest into structured projects and action.
  • Centred student agency, with initiatives such as Generation 2100, designed and delivered by students.
  • Built inclusive engagement for international students, using free transport, shared meals, accessible events and community-building activities.
  • Connected students with external partners, including Auckland Transport, Climate Club NZ, KPMG, Auckland Council and Take The Jump.
  • Strengthened internal collaboration, linking AUT Sustainability, AUT International, AUT Libraries, AUT Events, Student Accommodation, Estates and Student Services.

 

Wider Societal Impact

  • Developed future sustainability leaders, giving students practical experience in facilitation, advocacy, event delivery and behaviour change.
  • Created a multiplier effect through international students, who can carry sustainability practices and values into communities and workplaces beyond Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Strengthened urban biodiversity and community wellbeing, through native planting, food growing, harvesting, shared meals and hands-on environmental stewardship.
  • Demonstrated a transferable engagement model, relevant to universities, local government, student accommodation and community organisations.

Supported by

logo

Category finalists